Passenger jet billed as China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus prepares to make first international flight

Passenger jet billed as China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus prepares to make first international flight The Comac C919, a Chinese-made wide-body passenger jet, is set to embark on its first international flight on Wednesday, departing from Beijing Capital International Airport at 3 p.m. local time and arriving in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, approximately two hours later. This marks a milestone for China's efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global commercial aviation industry. The C919, developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), is designed to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families, which dominate the market. However, experts suggest that meaningful competition with these established manufacturers may take decades. The C919 began operations on domestic routes in China in 2023, operated by Chinese airlines. Wednesday’s flight to Mongolia will be the first time the jet is used on an international commercial route. Analysts view this as a strategic public relations initiative rather than a significant shift in the competitive landscape. Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Ulaanbaatar was selected due to its proximity to Beijing, emphasizing that the C919 still relies heavily on Western components and lacks the efficiency of its foreign counterparts. China has long pursued the goal of developing its own large commercial aircraft. The C919 was unveiled in November 2015, with Li Jiaxiang, then-head of China’s civil aviation authority, stating that “a great nation must have its own large commercial aircraft.” Despite rapid advancements in other high-tech sectors such as robotics and electric vehicles, progress in aviation has been slower. This is attributed to the complexity of designing and manufacturing large passenger jets, which involve integrating advanced technologies and sourcing components globally. An analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in 2020 revealed that more than half of the C919’s suppliers were based in the United States. Kyle Chan, a fellow at Brookings focused on China’s industrial policy, explained that large passenger aircraft require precision components, sophisticated electro-mechanical systems, and coordination across a global supply chain. He emphasized that producing such aircraft is significantly more challenging than manufacturing electric vehicles, noting that only two major commercial aircraft manufacturers exist worldwide. Production of the C919 has faced delays, with Comac delivering only 15 units last year, far below its target of 75. The company has not responded to requests for comment. While Comac primarily serves Chinese domestic airlines, it has secured international interest. In 2023, the Brunei-based airline GallopAir signed a $2 billion deal to purchase 30 planes, including 15 C919s. However, the airline is not yet operational, and the C919 has not received certification from European or American regulatory bodies. Tensions between China and the United States have also impacted the C919 project. Last year, the U.S. reportedly suspended exports of certain components to Comac during the trade war. The two nations later reached a temporary agreement, which is set to expire in November. During former President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing in May, one notable outcome was China’s commitment to purchasing 200 jets from Boeing. In exchange, the U.S. pledged support for the production of aircraft engine parts and components for American manufacturers. China views the development of its own commercial aircraft as a critical national security issue. In a recent interview with Chinese state media, Zhang Yanzhong, an aviation expert affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, warned that dependence on foreign technology for large aircraft could pose a threat to national security. As the C919 prepares for its first international flight, the broader implications of China’s ambitions in aviation remain under scrutiny.